The Chalice Blog

Our month long Spiritual Theme for May is "Curiosity"

"The Quest" by Rev. Peter Friedrichs is our poem for May

(Rev. Peter is working on a series of poems for children that help to illustrate the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism. This poem is based on our Fourth Principle, which states that Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes "the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.")

I lay in my bed in the dark of the night

and wonder about who’s wrong and who’s right.

And who made the rules by which we are bound

I know that, for eons, they’ve been around.

I just have so many questions to ask.

Like where did we come from, and what is our task?

And where do we go when we’re finally done?

Is there something beyond the red setting sun?

Some world’s religions tell us to believe

In fantastical gardens and Adam and Eve.

Other faiths tell us the whole world was born

on the back of a turtle that bright birthday morn.

There are books on the shelf that claim to know all

From just how we got here, and what brought The Fall.

Shamans and Imams, poets and priests

Ascetics who fast and saints whom we feast.

Were we human beings made whole out of clay?

Did we come from the sea? Am I part manta ray?

Did the earth and the stars start with a bang?

Or were they created when God’s angels sang?

I ponder these things, then ponder them more.

Google can’t help me, so I need to explore.

To embark on a journey, a kind of a quest

To discover each theory and find which fits best.

Which ones will sustain me when I feel alone,

Or when I am traveling far, far from home.

This is our task, our duty, our goal:

To join in this journey, so epic and bold.

Nobody knows all the answers, it’s true.

That’s why it’s for me and why it’s for you

To search out the knowledge and theories and such

that help us be better, make us reach out and touch.

Come on this journey, we’ll head out together!

We’ll seek and explore in good and bad weather.

I’ll learn things from you, and you’ll learn them from me

And the best part of all? It’s totally free!

We’ll find our beliefs that lead us to give

That show us the path, teach us right ways to live.

We don’t need the truth with a capital “T.”

Just something that works for you and for me.

This Sunday May 26: "What Are You Wondering"; One Service at 10:00 am

As we conclude our month-long examination of "Curiosity," Rev. Peter is wondering what you're wondering about. This Sunday will be a chance for you to ask him your questions and for all of us to wonder together. You can bring a question with you, written on an index card or a piece of paper, or you can submit your questions in advance by email to minister.uucdc@gmail.com. If you're curious or questioning, come join us on a journey of exploration! The UUCDC Choir will offer the gift of their music, and Ed Mathis will serve as worship associate.

Our Share-the-Plate recipient for May is Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy. This group of concerned residents in Delaware County is working to achieve safe communities by preventing gun violence. You can also donate by texting your donation amount to 610-756-8883. You'll receive instructions in order to complete the transaction.

Updated information and new FAQs on the UUCDC Capital Campaign Webpage! Learn all about it by clicking here.

This Sunday May 5: "Wandering and Wondering"; Rev. Peter Friedrichs

As we begin our month-long spiritual theme of "Curiosity," Rev. Peter, Director of Religious Education Chrissy Bushyager and Worship Associate Sharon Fichthorn will reflect Unitarian Universalism's call for us to "live into the questions" that our lives present.

Our Share-the-Plate recipient for April is Prysm Youth Center of Delaware County. The Prysm Youth Center of Delaware County provides lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex youth, and their straight allies with a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where they can't regularly meet. You can also donate by texting your donation amount to 610-756-8883. You'll receive instructions in order to complete the transaction.

New updated information on the UUCDC Capital Campaign! Learn all about it by clicking here.

This Sunday: Spring Special Music Service; Bob Rowland and the UUCDC Choir

This Sunday, as we conclude this month's exploration of the Journey theme: we reflect on it through poetry and in our Spring Special Music Service. This service, presented free of spoken commentary, thus allows the worshiper to experience and process these offerings in their own way. Musical selections are represent a diversity of musical and faith traditions and are presented in a variety of formats. The UUCDC Choir will feature solos, separate soprano-alto and tenor-bass ensembles, as well as mixed choir pieces; both accompanied and a cappella. Come to both reflect and refresh yourself for the journey ahead!

Mark your calendars to save the date!

Family friendly Seder will be held Saturday, April 27 from 5 – 7:30 pm. Watch for more information about this traditional Passover celebration here, in the Digest and the Focus Feed.

The UUCDC Capital Campaign is underway! Learn all about it by clicking here.

January 27: "The Beauty of Our Scars"

As the spiritual theme of the month is "Possibility", we reflect on how our scars—the wounds we carry— hold the possibility to emerge as part of our spiritual journey. Rumi wrote, "The wound is the place where the light enters you". Where can we find the possibility of beauty? How can we connect with beauty even as wounds are healing? How can we relate the beauty of our scars to a form of birthing joy into the world? Guest speaker Rev. Rebekah Ann Savage, DRE Chrissy Bushyager, and Worship Associate Sharon Fichthorn will lead our worship. Music will be provided by Gabby Sacks and Joy Thiessen.

Mark your calendars for Jan 26 at 6:00 pm and Sign-up for the Annual Chili, Chocolate, Home Brew Challenge!

The Eleventh Annual Chili, Chocolate, Home Brew Challenge is coming your way. Read all about it and register here. We look forward to your support!

January 27: Congregational Meeting at 6:00 pm preceeded by a potluck dinner at 5:00 pm

Please join us for our winter Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 27, with a pot-luck dinner from five to six o'clock followed by the formal meeting starting at six o'clock. This is an opportunity to learn about important initiatives at UUCDC including: where we are on the design work for our building expansion, how we plan to address the 8th Principle on racism, how this year’s fund drive will be different than those of recent years, and other topics. These are exciting times for our congregation, and it is important for all of us to stay informed.

Christmas Eve Services at 5:00pm and 7:30pm

We will offer two Christmas Eve services with stories and carols this year. The UUCDC Choir will sing at both services. All ages are welcome!

Sunday, Dec. 30 at 10:00 am: "Finding Faith in the Darkest of Hours"

As the nights are long and the calendar prepares to flip to a new year, we may struggle to stay connected to our faith, or even to define what that faith is for us. What does "faith" look like to a Unitarian Universalist? Come worship with us as Rob Sartain and Worship Associate Norma Lewis lead us in an exploration of the mystery of faith for UUs in these dark hours.

"What If"; by Rev. Peter Friedrichs for the December theme of "Mystery"

Sunday, Nov. 25: "A Negativity Bias"; Rev. Andrew Weber

As humans, we have an inclination to react to and remember negative events as opposed to positive ones. The thought is that through natural selection, it was more advantageous for our ancestors to know what could possibly harm or kill them. How can we pay more attention to and remember more the positive and blessings in our lives?

Please note that there will be one service at 10am and no Religious Education programming; which will resume on December 2nd.

"Tatters"; by Rev. Peter Friedrichs for the November theme of "Memory"

Sunday, Oct. 28: "All Musical Service"

This Sunday in worship, through music and poetry, we will explore one of the basic tenets of our faith: Inclusion. We will acknowledge those who too long have been marginalized in our society due to a range of seemingly insurmountable differences. We will celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our lives together and examine our role as advocates for those who do not share equal rights with us under the laws of our land. Music selected includes "Nowhere Man", "Born This Way", "De Colores" and "Would you harbor me?" among others.

The Church Auction is Nov. 3! Click "Read More" below to get all the information.

You may have heard the expression "An Earth made fair and all her people one." It comes from a mid-20th Century Christian hymn titled "Turn Back, O Man, Forswear Thy Foolish Ways" and is often used as a shorthand to describe our vision of a utopian future. As we wrap up our month-long theme of "Vision," Rev. Peter and Worship Associate Josie Cressler will consider these questions: What is our vision of and for the world? What is our responsibility to help bring that vision to reality? Dick Veleta will provide our music at both the 9:30 and 11:15 services and we will be holding a Service of Naming and Dedication during the 9:30 service.

"The Invitation"; by Rev. Peter Friedrichs for the September theme of "Vision"

A sermon that has almost nothing to do with Al Capone, but a lot to do with ethics, privilege, and what happens when we don’t agree.

Chrissy Bushyager is currently serving as UUCDC’s Director of Religious Education. She loves to preach summer sermons. She and her wife and two children live in Havertown.

Religious Education Registration for the new church year is open!

We're just about a month from our first Sunday of RE classes! This is going to be a great year with some changes that continue to build community, integrate service, and enrich lives. Registration is open and we are looking forward to seeing you soon. Click here to access registration forms.

Tickets are now available for the Chester City NAACP Scholarship Fundraiser Concert on September 29, 2018!

Our church sponsors the NAACP Scholarship Fund from the proceeds of various events, projects and contributions by regular donors. We are hoping to increase the College scholarships of $1,000 per year that the church provides for up to four years to each of four Chester students selected by the NAACP Chester chapter. A full house at this concert will help these students and their families! Click here to download the poster for the concert and learn all about it!

To buy a ticket on line, click here! Tickets will also be available each Sunday and at the door.

Individual donations are welcome to help support this worthy program and may be made through the church office or online with a bank transfer. Contact Kathy Alston

The spiritual theme for June is "Blessing"

Megan spent two weeks recently in Mexico learning about border issues and is excited to share her experiences with us. A sermon on immigration issues will accompany a Mexican-themed service.

Megan is a third-year seminarian at Lancaster Theological Seminary and member of UU Gettysburg. Megan, her wife, and their family currently live in East Berlin PA. She is currently serving as summer minister at UU Sterling VA and will complete a full-time ministerial internship at UU Frederick MD during the 2018-2019 school year.